Alzheimer’s and Dementia

WHAT IS ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?

Alzheimer’s is a disease that attacks the brain and is the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer’s is characterized by a decline in cognitive functioning due to damage and destruction of the neurons in the parts of the brain that control cognitive functioning.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?

Age- the greatest risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease is advancing age with risk of developing Alzheimer’s doubling every 5 years after age 65.

Genetics- genetic links have been found to both early-onset and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Family history- the risk of developing Alzheimer’s is increased for those who have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s disease.

Heart health- the risk of developing Alzheimer’s is increased for those with conditions that damage the heart or blood vessels such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

Ethnicity- because Latinos and African-Americans in the U.S. have higher rates of vascular disease, they also may be at greater risk for developing Alzheimer’s.

Lifestyle- maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as regular exercise and good nutrition, is key to Alzheimer’s prevention.

Head trauma- current research indicates a strong link between serious head injury and future risk of Alzheimer’s, specifically when trauma occurs repeatedly or involves loss of consciousness.

WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?

Alzheimer’s disease research indicates that early detection is key to slowing the progression of the disease and improving disease prognosis. Early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease include:

Challenges in planning or problem solving

Difficulty completing routine tasks

Confusion with time or place

Problems with words in speaking or writing

Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

Poor judgment

Withdrawal from work or other social activities

Changes in mood and personality

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s usually develop slowly and gradually worsen over time, progressing from mild forgetfulness to widespread brain impairment. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are categorized as cognitive or psychiatric.

Cognitive symptoms:

Amnesia– Loss of memory both short-term and long-term.

Aphasia– Inability to communicate expressively (inability to speak and write) or receptively (inability to understand spoken or written words).

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WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?

The following stages have used a framework to provide general guidelines for understanding the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and symptoms. It is important to remember that each case of Alzheimer’s progresses differently. Cognitive, physical, and functional phases often overlap and time spent in each stage varies widely from patient to patient. It is also important to note that not everyone experiences all Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Stage 1: Early or Mild Stage Alzheimer’s disease (2-4 years) – A person continues to function independently and have the ability to drive, work, and participate in social activities. Despite having the ability to function in the above domains, they may experience:

Forgetfulness

Difficulty with word articulation

Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people

Increased difficulty performing tasks

Forgetting material just read

Losing or misplacing valuable objects

Increased trouble with planning or organizing

Stage 2: Middle or Moderate Stage Alzheimer’s disease (2-10 years)– A person has greater difficulty performing tasks but may still remember significant details about their lives. Other symptoms include:

Confusing words

Getting easily frustrated or angry

Acting in unexpected ways

Forgetfulness of events or personal history

Moodiness

Withdraw in socially or mentally challenging situations

Inability to recall own address or telephone number

Confusion regarding person, place, or time

Inability to choose proper clothing for weather or occasion

Trouble controlling bladder or bowels

Changes in sleeping patterns

Personality and behavioral changes

Wandering and becoming lost

Stage 3: Late or Severe Stage Alzheimer’s disease (1-3 years)–

A person loses the ability to respond to their surroundings.

During this stage a person will:

Require full-time, around-the-clock care

Be bedridden

Unable to complete activities of daily living without assistance

HOW IS ALZHEIMER’S DIAGNOSED?

Experts estimate a skilled neurologist can diagnose Alzheimer’s with more than 90 percent accuracy. The first step in following up on your symptoms is finding a doctor you feel comfortable with. At Kentucky Neurology and Rehab, our staff will help you feel comfortable and confident in the care you receive. We may perform several exams and tests to determine if Alzheimer’s is causing your symptoms. These tests may include:

Stage 1: Early or Mild Stage Alzheimer’s disease (2-4 years) – A person continues to function independently and have the ability to drive, work, and participate in social activities. Despite having the ability to function in the above domains, they may experience:

Medical history

Mental status testing

Physical Exam

Neurological and neuro-psychological exams

Blood Tests

Brain Scans

Brain imaging

Differential Diagnosis Receiving a proper and timely diagnosis is crucial as conditions other than Alzheimer’s may be causing your symptoms. The following conditions can cause an individual to experience symptoms similar to those of someone with Alzheimer’s and dementia:

Depression

Drug interactions

Thyroid problems

Vitamin deficiencies

Diabetes

Kidney Disease

Liver Disease

Alcoholism

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Vascular Dementia

Mixed Dementia

Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Parkinson’s Disease

Frontotemporal Dementia

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Huntington’s Disease

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

TREATMENTS FOR ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s usually develop slowly and gradually worsen over time, progressing from mild forgetfulness to widespread brain impairment. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are categorized as cognitive or psychiatric.

Although Alzheimer’s disease cannot be stopped or reversed, diagnosis and treatment will allow a person the opportunity to live well with the disease for as long as possible. Common treatments for Alzheimer’s and dementia include:

Therapy for Cognitive Symptoms

Modify environment– Adapting the environment to the needs of a person with Alzheimer’s is an important part of any treatment plan. Establishing and strengthening routine habits and minimizing memory-demanding tasks can make life much easier for someone living with Alzheimer’s. Steps that can be taken to modify living environment include:

Keep keys, wallets, valuables, and medication in the same place

Fill weekly pill counters with prescribed medications

Set up bank accounts for automatic deposit and withdrawal

Keep mobile phone on your person with GPS location enabled

Keep important numbers programmed into phone

Use a whiteboard or calendar to keep track of daily schedule and appointments

Nutrition- People with Alzheimer’s often have difficulty eating and drinking due to memory loss, cognitive impairment, and a decline in physical ability. To avoid dehydration and malnutrition, try offering:

High-calorie shakes and smoothies

Milkshakes with protein powders

Nutritional supplements labeled for use with Alzheimer’s

Water or juice, avoid beverages with caffeine as it may increase restlessness, trigger a frequent need to urinate, and interfere with sleep

Homeopathic Medicine-

Although homeopathic treatments are not empirically supported or approved by the FDA, many Alzheimer’s patients report symptom relief from the following herbal remedies and vitamins:

Omega-3 fatty acids– may help prevent cognitive decline.

Curcumin– an herb that comes from turmeric and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that might affect chemical processes in the brain.

Ginkgo– Ginkgo is a plant extract containing several substances.

Vitamin E– 2,000 international units daily may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s

Physical, occupational, and speech therapy- all assist a person with Alzheimer’s to function independently for as long as possible.

Occupational therapy– occupational therapists assist Alzheimer’s patients with maintaining independence for as long as possible by developing routines and adapting their environments to their cognitive abilities.

Speech therapy– speech therapists assist Alzheimer’s patients with cognitive, communication, and swallowing deficits by using techniques such as teaching written cues for completing tasks or to assist memory recall, creating books to help recall information and teaching family members and caregivers how to communicate more effectively with the Alzheimer’s patient.

If you believe that you or a loved is experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, call Kentucky Neurology and Rehab and schedule an appointment.